Daily Archives: April 2, 2020

ABU DHABI, In the recent years, the UAE has achieved an important agricultural milestone by producing 70 types of vegetables and fruits locally.

According to figures released by the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, there were 35,000 farms in the UAE in 2018, which met the local market demands, with many local agricultural products competing with imported products.

Abu Dhabi has the largest number of farms in the country, and the local farmer service centres marketed around 68 types of fresh vegetables and six types of fruits as part of the agricultural plan during 2018-2019.

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority has approved new types of products after confirming their success in local environmental conditions and some 27 types of citrus fruits are being produced.

Emirati agricultural products are competitive against imported products and there is currently a high demand for local products due to many factors, especially affordable prices.

The UAE has prioritised organic agriculture and has seen an increase in the number of organic farms. The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, ESMA, pointed out that 29 new organic farms were registered in the country in the first half of 2019 while the production of organic products increased by 60 percent.

In August 2018, the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment began conducting a research project on the use of remote sensing and air surveying techniques in agricultural areas using drones.

Many leading agricultural projects in the UAE rely on modern technology, and hydroponics or agriculture without soil is one of the most notable one. Around 177 farms, including 89 in Abu Dhabi, have adopted this agricultural method in the UAE, according to the ministry’s 2019-2020 statistics.

The ministry’s field studies show that hydroponic production accounts for four times the production level of traditional agriculture.

The UAE’s efforts are part of a comprehensive system that aims to strengthen food security, by relying on the development of agricultural production and food technologies. Under this framework, the country launched the National Food Security Strategy 2018, which, in turn, led to the launch of the “Modern Agricultural Technologies Adoption Accelerator Programme.”

ABU DHABI, Driven by a buying spree targeting property, banking and logistics blue chips, much of which happened in the last hour of trading in today’s session, the UAE stock markets closed in the green Thursday, with Abu Dhabi’s main index touching 3,758 points, 0.35 percent up over the last session of trading, with Dubai Financial Market following suit and edging up 0.12 percent to 1,722 pts.

Emaar was among the best performers, closing high at AED2.18, followed by Emaar Malls at AED1.14 and Aramex at AED2.33.

In Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, FAB climbed to AED9.99, while ADNOC Distribution closed high at AED2.83 and Aldar Properties at AED1.5.

A total of 5,342 deals were conducted worth around AED320 million over 194 million share.

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention today announced 210 new cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the UAE, bringing the total number of cases to 1,024.

The new cases were detected upon examining people who came in contact with previously infected patients and did not adhere to preventative measures or maintain sufficient physical distance. A number of these cases resulted from international travel.

The newly diagnosed patients of various nationalities are in a stable condition and receiving the necessary medical care.

The Ministry also announced the full recovery of 35 more individuals after receiving medical care, bringing the total number of those cured of the virus in the UAE to 96.

ABU DHABI, The UAE has decided to renew, from today and for a renewable period of two weeks, the suspension of entry of all foreign nationals holding valid UAE residence visa, in a bid to contain the spread the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure their safety.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has requested those holding valid UAE visas, and now staying abroad, to register in the ‘Tawajudi for Residents” Service which has been recently launched through MoFAIC’s website to facilitate their safe return to the UAE in emergency situations.